Sleep Deprived

You haven't lived until you've slept on a couch with a four year old and a lab, both of which are bed hogs.

At some point during the night, Sophia crawled into bed with me, went back to sleep, then peed in my bed. Steve was asleep, so all I could do was get a towel to soak some of it up then find somewhere else to lay.

I couldn't  go sleep in Sophia's bed because her bed is in storage and she's been sleeping with Taylor or on our floor.

So I got a blanket and went downstairs to the couch. The kid and dog followed me.
I guess I should be thankful I didn't pack all the extra blankets yet.

It's going to be a challenging day to be tired and I'm sensing lots of coffee in my future. I'm helping make a million meatballs this morning and I accidentally double-booked myself this evening.

Party Pictures of Sophia's Bio Family

Cousin Adaya, Aunt Nichole & Sophia

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 Aunt Amanda playing darts in the kitchen

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 Ben, Baby Aubree, Rachel and a cousin

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 Sophia and her half-sister Aubree

(Rachel & Ben's daughter)

Sophia's Bio Mom's Birthday

I was informed an hour ago that Rachel's family has just decided to have a spur-of-the-moment get together for her birthday today and they want Sophia there. I have a headache just thinking about it. When I didn't respond to their messages right away (4 calls & 3 text messages within a half hour), one of the sister's came over to our house to tell me. Did I mention I have a headache?

 

Here's part of my wish list:

• They would understand that our schedule doesn't always work well with impromptu things.
• They would realize how busy our family is and how complicated it is to drop everything to adapt to them, especially when they don't plan ahead.
• That Rachel's new husband would stop calling Sophia his step-daughter. I really don't know why this one bothers me so much, but it does. He's not related to her, biologically or legally, other than the fact that he married Rachel long after her parental rights to Sophia were terminated. I feel like he doesn't have any right to the name 'dad'.
• That it's not all about them and what they want. It's about Sophia.
• They would comprehend that it isn't a given that Sophia will always be there whenever they want her.
• Finally, that it's our choice what Sophia does, not theirs .

And just for the record, I said I'd take her to the party. Regardless of my feelings, my ultimate goal is to make sure Sophia grows up healthy, both physically and emotionally. I guess right now that involves keeping her connected with some of her bio family.  :/


But I did say we'd only be there until 6:20pm because some of the kids have church tonight.
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Anthony

I kept Anthony home from school today and took him to his therapist. Currently, he says I hate him and will tell that to anyone who will listen. We've been seeing lots of negative behaviors since I came back from Guatemala & are anticipating moving. Fun times of the attachment-challenged.

It seemed to be a productive therapy session today & then I took Anthony out to eat. I let him pick the place & we had a good conversation, just the two of us. It was a splurge, but worth it.

Zeke's Special Olympics

Reunion part 3